A Potter Secret

Godfathers

Isabella clutches her heir ring in her hand as she slowly approaches Severus. The school year starts in just over a week. "Papa," Isabella says as she steps forward.

Severus looks up and smiles at her. "Isabella, what are you doing out of bed, Sweetie? It's far past your bed time."

She looks up at him and sighs. "I- I want to meet my other godfather," she states.

Severus looks at her confused. "Why?"

Isabella shrugs and steps closer, sitting on the couch beside Severus. "I feel like something's wrong, Papa. I need to see him, to talk to him. Please."

He closes his eyes. Isabella had had these feelings before and they always turned out to be right. "Isabella, that's not as easy as it sounds," Severus starts. "Your other godfather is in Azkaban. He was your parents' secret keeper; it's his fault that they are dead."

Isabella looks away, tears in her eyes. "I- I get that it- it's hard to reach him but, Papa, I really feel something is wrong. Please."

Severus nods slowly. "I'll see what I can do, Isabella, I promise. I just want you to realize that it might not be possible to bring you there while ensuring your safety."

Isabella looks at her toes. "I've actually already thought it through. We can go and I can use my abilities to look like Professor Dumbledore. We get in and get to the cell where we'd be alone for our allotted time. We'd be alone with him because all the cells of Azkaban are separated from each other."

Severus thinks through her plan before playfully glaring at her. "You've spent a lot of time thinking about this, haven't you?" Isabella smiles shyly. "I will check with Dumbledore to make sure everything is set, alright?" Isabella smiles and crawls over, curling up on Severus' lap.

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Slowly, Isabella leads Severus through the halls of Azkaban. She's altered her appearance to be Dumbledore. The guard stops just outside the door leading to her godfather's cell. "You'll have one hour with him. You are welcome to leave before the hour it up, just knock on the door and someone will let you out. We are not able to hear your conversation from out here but we will know if past this door it in real danger. Do you understand?"

Isabella, as Dumbledore, nods. The guard opens the door, letting Isabella and Severus walk through. Severus stays by the door as Isabella steps closer to the cell. Once the door is sealed, Severus nods and Isabella changes into herself. Severus gets between them and stands before the cell. Sirius is lying down by the window. "Sirius Black," Severus calls.

Sirius looks over, startled. "Sn-Snape?" Sirius asks. "Severus Snape?" Severus nods and Sirius scrambles over, kneeling before him. "Severus please, you have to listen to me. I didn't betray James and Lily! I wasn't their secret keeper; Pettigrew was the secret keeper, we switched because we thought no one would think he was the keeper. Please, you have to get me out of here!"

Severus is startled by the news but steps back. "I'm not here to talk to you, Black. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be here at all."

"Please, Severus!" Sirius begs. "Please! You- you don't know what it's like here. I beg you, help me!"

"You murdered twelve people and Peter Pettigrew," Severus hisses. "And if you don't stop this, we'll leave. Immediately."

Sirius pauses. "We?"

Severus nods. "Can you be calm? If not, we leave."

"Who- who's here?" Sirius inquires, nodding.

Severus turns back and waves to Isabella. She steps forward, standing just beside him. "Uncle Sirius?" Isabella asks.

Sirius looks at her and smiles. "Well who might you be, love?" Sirius smooths down his hair, trying to look nicer. "I didn't know I had a niece, much less one as cute as you. What's your name?"